By Andy Warjri
In the article, “Non-tribals in Meghalaya-non citizens or half citizens” (ST March 22, 2013) by Patricia Mukhim, the writer says that a section of the NGOs are narrow in their views. The writer had also indicated that the particular pressure group demanding for removal of the Speaker has reached the height of xenophobia. The allegation is derogatory towards the ethnic youth of today. By ethnic here I mean the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. The writer had also implied that the thinking ethnic youth are thoughtless, unintelligent and primitive. I, as well as several of our thinking and observing youth, for once, are not impressed with the generalization of the meaning of communalism and/or ethnicity. Being communal and being ethnically inclined are two different definitions. Ethnicity has been defined as a common proper name to identify and express the essence of community, of common ancestry, shared historical memories, sharing one or more common elements of culture which normally includes religion, language and customs and a link with homeland not necessarily its physical occupation by the ethnic group but only its symbolic attachment to the ancestral land as with diasporic people and a sense of solidarity. Being communal is a whole new meaning. It is being exclusive, living in a commune where inclusion of other unfamiliar, unrelated agents would invite contempt and displeasure. The issue of Speaker’s election is not about being communal but about being ethnically conscious. Conscious of the fact that the position of the Speaker is also representative of the State and its ethnic groups in global forums! I agree with you about the Constitution and abiding by it but the pressure groups are merely expressing their disdain on the issue of ethnicity and why this is so? The following points perhaps will give us some meaning:
1. The Speaker’s post is a coveted post equivalent to the Chief Minister’s Post.
2. The Speaker’s International commitments are more than that of a Chief Minister.
It goes without saying and with due respect to Mr AT Mondal who had rightly earned his place in the sun, I have nothing against him but to me the highest elected job in the State of Meghalaya should belong to a person of ethnic origin as defined above. Mr. AT Mondal is more than qualified and apt for the job and he would perhaps do a better job than his predecessors but the fact remains that figuratively the degree of the position is relevant to its occupant. There was no rabble rousing about the incumbent when he was appointed Power Minister. Mr AT Mondal with due respect, will be carrying the flag of Meghalaya and its ethnicity around the world in his various Parliamentary affairs Conferences of which he would be identified as the bearer of the State he represents. He is an ambassador of the culture and heritage of Meghalaya. The question is, can he hold that flag? What would he convey to the world about the cultural heritage of Meghalaya’s indigenous tribe? As the law permits us as abiding citizens, I also have the right to be concerned about the rationale of this nomination/election to the post. It will be a tragedy if one day even the post of Chief Minister would go to a non-tribal as seen in the State of Tripura. Is it wrong to incline towards ethnicity? Where is the limit to it? Who says that being ethnically inclined is primitive? Are we or are we not a marginalized race? Should we sit back and caress our palms and let things slide, or, is it wrong to assert ourselves? We can embrace globalization but not at the cost of our cultural heritage. We are already losing our identity with respect to language, customs, religion, attire and we are aping the western tradition which most of us are proud of! .
It is easy for those with vast opportunities and with upstart backgrounds to speak of competition in the modern world and of equality of opportunity and of dropping names of great achievers from our State. The real story is that the majority of our ethnic indigenous tribes still live below poverty line and are dependent on the meager and unpredictable agrarian outcomes. They are still denied of quality education, sound accessible health facility, decent connectivity, UPS (uninterrupted power supply), palatable drinking water and are continuously exploited by political class, bureaucracy and touts. In my perspective we have openly embraced and over-emphasized the cosmopolitan spirit so much so that today when you walk down the famous shopping lanes of Shillong you would feel you are in a different district of a different State. It is unfortunate to say this but it is time for the rooster to crow; a time to call a spade a spade and to meet the challenges head on but not with sadistic retribution or aggression but by asserting our attributes as an ethnic group still striving for an identity and equal opportunity. The powerful political class can set the precedence by addressing key issues such as appointing individuals of relevant status in establishments that represent social, emotional and cultural aspects of the indigenous groups of Meghalaya rather than be dictated by the numbers game.